Cannot Open App On Mac

All Mac OS versions run on a technology called Gatekeeper, It’s designed to ensure that only trusted software runs on your Mac. If the software you are trying to open is not certified you will see a message like this “can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.”

Top Examples

• “mysqlworkbench” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
• “sourcetree” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.

Note: Allowing apps to be installed manually brings potential risk from malware. Programs like Source Tree are legit, however try to make sure you are downloading the latest version of the software and from an authorized website before proceeding.

Right click on the app, and click “Open“. You will be greeted with an alert box asking you if you’re sure that you want to open the app. Click “Open”, if you’re sure the app is safe. The app will then open up on macOS Sierra. You only need to do this once for each app. Subsequent launches of the app will succeed by default. Method 2 – Right Click App Instead of double clicking on the app, just right click and press Open. You will get a notice “Can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.” however you will still get the option to open the program Method 3 “Works for Mac OS Catalina”.

Bypass “Can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.”

Most applications can be easily opened by this method:

Time Needed :2 minutes

“Can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.”

1. Method 1

   System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> click “Open Anyway”.

2. Method 2 – Right Click App

   Instead of double clicking on the app, just right click and press Open.
   You will get a notice “Can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.” however you will still get the option to open the program

3. Method 3 “Works for Mac OS Catalina”

   Open “Terminal” App — Applications > Terminal. Use xattr to remove the app from quarantine. Source Reddit
   $ xattr -d com.apple.quarantine <app-path>

Materials

• Mac OS Catelina, Mojave and Older

Apple has removed the option allow all third Party Applications.

Since the release of the Mac OS Catalina apple has removed the option in the Security and Privacy settings to allow programs from “Anywhere” to be downloaded. From now on only individual programs can be given permission to be installed.

1. Why do I get the message “can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.”

   Many programs have a notarization issue since the Catalina Update. Apple has tightened its privacy policies and has limited certification to apps only in the app store. Even though there are workarounds most users might feel an unease to install such programs.

Most Common “can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.” Errors

• “java 8 update 251” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
• “jdk 8 update 251.pkg” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
• “sourcetree” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
• “runescape” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
• “mongodb compass” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
• “mysqlworkbench”
• “Origin”
• “macperformance”
• “appium”
• “nox app”
• “install”

“mysqlworkbench” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.

“mysqlworkbench” refers to MySQL Work Bench is a legitimate program and it should not be considered malware. It is a unified visual tool for database architects, developers, and DBAs. MySQL Workbench also provides data modeling, SQL development, user administration, backup, and much more. MySQL Workbench compatible with most version of Mac OS X, including the latest version Mac OS 10.15.5

“sourcetree” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.

Sourcetree most definitely is not malicious. It interacts with your Git repositories and visualizes and manages your repositories through Sourcetree’s simple Git GUI. It is a Free Git client that is compatible with both Mac OS 10 and Windows 10. Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of SourceTree for Mac

“java 8 update 251” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.

“Java 8 Update 251” (8u251) refers to the latest version of Java 8.0. This is not malicious software however you cannot download the software from the app store therefore the pop up message will show up in all cases. If you are interested in what the latest updates includes you can check out the official update release for Java here.

mysql-8.0.21-macos10.15-x86_64.pkg

The latest MySQL package for mac is appearing to have the same problem. Installing it directly from the official MySQL page will still lead to the same message “mysql-8.0.21-macos10.15-x86_64.pkg” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.

Alternative messages

Some users have been receiving a similar message “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware”. It is again related to gatekeeper technology where the application is not verified by apple. Many reputable applications have such a message when trying to install on a mac.

Cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer mac

In this case MacOS is not mentioning that this application is potentially dangerous. This is somewhat confusing as many unidentified developer apps for Mac do receive a message that it cannot be checked for malicious software. If you do however get this message you can still bypass and open the app with the same instructions above.

By Tasnia Salinas, on November 12, 2020, in Mac Uninstaller| SOLVED

Summary: Trying to install an app on macOS Big Sur but get an error message saying XXX app can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. Check this complete macOS Big Sur Problem troubleshooting article.

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User feedback: I'm trying to open a .pkg package from Skype for passcode management on macOS Big Sur. When I go to open the package it tell me: 'Skype can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.' I've checked in System Preferences but can't figure it out. Any help is appreciated.

Other Affected Apps:

Diagnosis: Modern macOS, like Mojave and Big Sur, includes a technology called Gatekeeper, which is built to help you safely open apps on your Mac. For sure Apple App Store is the best place to get software applications, but in many cases, you'll need to download and install apps out of the store. To distribute apps without App Store, it requires the developer to have valid Apple Developer ID and get their apps notarized. Otherwise, it has large chance that they'll get the following error: 'XXX can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.'

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Table of Content:

Keep it in mind that, by bypassing this Apple gateway protection method, you may expose your computer and personal information to malware (Check Malware App List on macOS) that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy. So make sure that this app you want to install on macOS Big Sur is from a trustworthy source and hasn’t been tampered with. You can temporarily override your Mac security settings so as to run this software that hasn’t been signed and notarized (Learn How To Uninstall Programs on macOS Big Sur).

1. Step 1:

   In macOS Big Sur (or macOS Mojave), to open an app that fails to be opened because it hasn't been notarized or is from an unidentified developer, open System Preferences > Security & Privacy:

2. Step 2:

   Click Open Anyway to confirm your intent to open or install the app.

3. Optional Method:

   An alternative method to bypass this error is to click on the “Show in Finder” button > Go to 'Applications' folder to locate the app > Control click or right click on the application file and choose 'Open' option.

4. Optional Method:

   You will get a similar error message for malicious software checking like below. However, this time you will see an additional 'Open' button.

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Mac Cannot Open All Application

One more side note is that, Apple designed this Gateway method is for protecting your Mac from malicious malware. When you install Mac apps, plug-ins, and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature to verify that the software is from an identified developer (Uninstall Program on Mac). It also requires software to be notarized. To open apps safely on macOS Big Sur, consider these following tips.

General Tips for Open Apps Safely on macOS Big Sur:

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Can T Open App On Mac

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Still get stuck by error: 'XXX App can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software'? Here is an alternative method that can fix this issue. In the Finder > Control-click the app DMG/PKG file > choose Open from the menu, and in the dialog that appears, click Open. Enter your admin name and password when prompted. Have other macOS Big Sur app not working issue? Try Omni Remover >

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